Failsafe oscillator monitor and alarm
US8456243B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R19/16585
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A failsafe oscillator monitor and alarm circuit receives clock pulses from an external oscillator that if a failure thereto occurs, the failsafe oscillator monitor and alarm circuit will notify a digital processor of the external oscillator failure. The failsafe oscillator monitor and alarm circuit is a very low current usage circuit that charges a storage capacitor with clock pulses from the external oscillator when functioning normally and discharges the storage capacitor with a constant current sink if the external oscillator stops functioning. When the voltage charge on the storage capacitor becomes less than a reference voltage an alarm signal is sent to the digital processor for exception or error handling of the failed external oscillator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.